TALENTED top-age utility Lucy Boyd is ready to take the next step in her career as she prepares for a strong 2024 season. The West Adelaide tall has played at both ends of the ground over the past couple of years, representing the Bloods at SANFL Women’s level, and the Croweaters through the national carnival.

A Port Adelaide supporter – who saw many of her close friends including Bloods teammate Lauren Young – head to Alberton, Boyd said she is looking to follow in their footsteps.

“Ultimate goal is to get drafted at the end of the year wherever that might be, don’t really mind,” Boyd said. “Preferably stay in Adelaide but wherever it takes me. But win a few more games with Westies and hopefully some make finals if we can, but just have a solid season, solid 18s campaign as well.”

Boyd’s footy journey started like many at Auskick, but then had to put a pin on a future AFLW career on account of the fact there was nowhere to play nor at that stage, an elite women’s competition. However after a couple of season at Ironbank when she was 10, Boyd made the switch to Blackwood to play in the open women’s grade at 12-years-old alongside her sisters.

“Played four years there and then when I was 12 played in my first state team Under 15 Schoolgirls team,” Boyd said. “Then came out to Westies when I was 12, played in their Under 14 carnival, started training with the league squad when I was 13 and just been at Westies ever since. Debut when I was 15 and played the last two seasons.”

In past seasons, Boyd has been utilised as a rebounding half-back, but in 2023 found herself inside 50 as a leading forward, something she carried through the national carnival for South Australia after missing the first game due to injury. In 2024, she expects she will start off back, but could push up into the midfield for a “bit of an on-ball rotation” which Boyd said she will enjoy.

“I like playing off half-back personally,” she said of her preferred position. “I like having the game in front of me rather than it coming at me. I feel like I can do more with it and feel it suits my skillset a bit more, but happy to play wherever.”

The West Adelaide utility regards her footy IQ and reading of the play among her top strengths, with her decision making under pressure and tackling pressure also in her repertoire. As it stands, the 172cm tall is looking to work on her one-on-one contested game, as well as her aerial ability.

Currently Boyd likes to keep a keen eye on AFLW players off half-back, with the entire Brisbane Lions team impressing her with the way they go about their football. However two Lions – Jade Ellenger and Natalie Grider – as fellow half-backs, are a couple she looks to mould her game off.

As for her own personal influence on her career, it was hard to go past her family.

“My mum,” Boyd said. “She drives me everywhere, takes me wherever I need to go, invests in whatever she needs to to get me to the top level. My family in general, they sacrifice a lot for me.”

While West Adelaide is coming off an injury ravaged 2023 season where the Bloods slipped to the wooden spoon, Boyd said she was “feeling good ” about what 2024 could bring.

“Can never speak too soon, but I think we’ve got a group this year, good atmosphere, everybody’s connected really well,” she said. “We’ve got a pretty positive outlook on the year, so it will be good.”